Warp beam truck



April 12, 1955 J. F. TALLEY ErAL 2,706,056

WARP BEAM TRUCK Filed Jan. 23, 1952 4 l 4 Sheets-Sheet l Awww@ April 12,` 1955 J. F. TAI- LEY ETAL 2,706,056

wARP BEAM TRUCK Filed Jan. 425. 1952 4 sheets-'sheet 2 Hl u ` I N V EN TOR5 La Q fain letlr llley N L@ Byfmfs Edward danseg April l2, 1955 J. F. TALLEY x-:TAL

WARP BEAM TRUCK 4 sheets-sheet 5 Filed Jan. 23, 1952 United States Patent O WARP BEAM TRUCK John Fletcher Talley, North Augusta, and .lames Edward Coursey, Clearwater, S. C., assignors to United Merchants and Manufacturers, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application January 23, 1%2, Serial No. 267,714

11 Claims. (Cl. 21d-39d) This invention relates to apparatus for handling materials and more particularly to devices for moving bodies and objects from one place to another.

One object of the invention is to provide means for lifting relatively heavy objects and transporting the same from station to station as may be required. Another object is an assembly for supplying or delivering materials in process of manufacture to a work place. A still further object is to transport with a minimum of handling, especially manual handling, work in process from one work station to the next.

In the textile industry for example, one step in the manufacture of cloth requires the introduction of warp yarns into the loom from what is termed a warp beam. Conventionally the warp beam comprises an elongated wooden or metallic core or shaft provided with large annular flanges at each end. The warp is wound on to a warp beam at loom width or slightly wider and is subsequently transferred from the beam to the loom for weaving. Thousands of yards of warp yarn are wound around the beam which may contain enough yarn to run a loom for several weeks, depending of course upon the speed of the loom and the particular construction of the fabric that is to be woven. Thus, as will be understood, a loaded warp beam is a relatively heavy object and indeed often weighs in excess of ive hundred pounds.

After the warp has been prepared properly, it goes to the drawing-in department of the weaving mill where the warp yarns are drawn through the heddles of harnesses in accordance with a predetermined drawing-in draft or plan which determines the pattern Weave or construction of the fabric. The warp beam as brought to the loom is usually already reeded and drawn-in.

The present invention has been found. especially useful in bringing or moving the heavy loaded warp beam from the drawing-in department to the loom, for mounting the beam in the loom, and for returning empty beams to the spare floor or warp beaming department.

With the above and other objects in View, as will be apparent, the present invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all as hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a side View of a vehicle mechanism embodying the invention including a truck for transporting a warp beam or other object from place to place and a coacting horizontal screw and carriage mounted on the truck for moving the beam horizontally together with vertical lifting jack means mounted on the carriage for controlling vertical movement of the beam-whereby a loaded beam may be transferred from the truck and installed in the loom-the horizontal screw being broken away to show the lifting screw mounting;

Fig. 2 is a front View of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. l including shaft and gear connections between the elevating and reciprocating means on both sides of the truck whereby the relative position of the beam on the truck may be altered horizontally or vertically from either side of the vehicle; and

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the apparatus of Figs. l and 2.

Fig. 4 is a side View of another embodiment of the present invention with the horizontal screw and part of the vertical jack housing being broken away for illustrative purposes wherein the vertical jack which carries the warp beam is mounted for pivotal movement on the carriage, whereby the angle formed by the vertical jack and the carriage supporting it varies as the carriage is moved backward or forward on the truck.

As heretofore pointed out, one embodiment of the invention contemplates truck means for transferring a loaded warp beam from the drawing-in department of a weaving mill to a loom. To that end, the apparatus or device may comprise a movable base support, carriage means mounted on the support for reciprocation of the warp beam independently of the movable base, and means independent of the base connected to the carriage means for raising and lowering the warp beam.

More specifically, one embodiment of the invention may include an open frame mounted for movement on swiveling casters, for example, whereby a loaded or unloaded warp beam may be installed on the frame by any suitable or convenient means and then moved bodily with the frame from place to place as may be required. A plurality of coacting carriages for the warp beam may be mounted on the upper surfaces of the sides of the frame and may be supported by wheels resting on tracks running widthwise along both sides of the frame. Thus, the warp beam held by the carriages may be moved toward or away from the loom in a horizontal plane without moving the frame after the frame has been put into position for unloading adjacent the loom, and more particularly, adjacent the beam locks on both sides of the loom at the forward end thereof; which locks receive and hold the projecting ends of the warp beam in operative position on the loom.

To lower the loaded warp beam from its elevated position on the carriage, and deliver it from the carriages to its proper position within the jaws of the beam locks, there is contemplated a lifting assembly of coacting members fixed to the carriages and constructed and arranged to elevate or lower the warp beam independently of any movement of the frame and likewise independently of reciprocation of the carriages relative to the frame.

Thus there is provided a base support or frame movable in any direction horizontally, coacting carriage superstructures carried by the frame and movable independently of the frame backward and forward widthwise of the frame, and means on the carriages for holding the beam and moving it up or down independently of movement of either the carriages or the frame. With this arrangement, as will appear, a loaded warp beam may be rolled on its flanges over the floor of the drawing-in department and on to the carriages of the truck frame. Subsequently, the beam may be raised clear of the floor and the warp truck moved to the forward end of the loom. To transfer the beam from the truck to the loom, the carriages are moved forward so as to approach the loom, while the truck remains stationary, to a point where the ends of the beam core or shaft are suspended above and almost over the open locks on the loom. The beam is then lowered, preferably on an oblique line of travel until the opposed ends of the beam shafts are supported in place within the jaws of the beam locks which are then closed. The weaving operation then begins.

There may also be provided means on the warp truck for transporting the usual drop wires, harnesses and reeds to the loom in conjunction with the warp itself. When the truck is moved up to the loom and placed at its forward end, the harness frames, drop wires and reeds preferably are taken off the truck and hung in the loom before the beam is moved forward on the truck carriage and lowered into position at the beam locking station.

The truck may be pushed or pulled in any direction manually or otherwise. The coacting carriages may be moved forward and backward relative to the truck frame by hand or motor operated cranks or wheels actuating a nut and screw assembly connected to the carriages and the independent means for lowering and raising the beam on the carriage may also comprise a nut and screw combination operated by hand or motor and connected to the carriage superstructures.

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention may comprise a three sided base frame 10 made of channel iron, steel, aluminum or other suitable metal or other material, including two relatively short side or end pieces 11, 12, each welded or otherwise joined at one end to or made integral with a relatively elongated cross member 13, preferably made of the same material as the side pieces 11, 12. The open portion or side of the frame permits entry of a warp beam which may be rolled over the floor and into the area defined by the three sides 11, 12 and 13 of the base 10 without having to lift the beam off the oor.

By attaching roller bearing hard rubber swivel casters 14 to the underside of the frame channel iron at or near the four rorners r`f the frame truck 10, the truck may be pushed or pulled manually or otherwise in any desireu horizontal direction.

If desired, the maneuverability of the truck 10 may be increased by substituting for the two back corner casters 14 a single swivel caster with or without a caster position lock attachment and mounting the same centrally of the cross member 13 intermediate the side pieces 11, 12.

Standards 1S, 16 are fixed to the rear corners of the truck frame 10 and are connected at their upper ends by a cross member 17 from which the slidably adjustable arms 18, 19 are suspended to accommodate the conventional reeds, harness, and drop wires (not shown). Normally, the harness, reeds and drop wires are hung on the projecting arms 18, 19 of the truck 10 after the warp beam has been placed in the truck and they are removed for placement in the loom prior to the transfer of the warp from the truck 10 to the loom (not shown).

The means for moving the warp beam forward and backward on the truck 10 while the truck is at rest, or otherwise, may include a wheel carriage 20 riding on the flat upper surfaces of the end pieces 11, 12 on each side of the truck 10, each of the carriages 20 comprising a oor 21 made of U-shaped channel iron for example, and equipped with solid rollers 22 having central shafts resting in bearings 23 seated in apertures in the overturned legs 24, 25 of the channel iron oors 21. The diameter of each of the rollers 22 should be uniform and such as to permit movement backward and forward along the width of the truck 10 of the carriages 20 to which the wheels or rollers 22 are attached. To keep the carriages 20 on their respective tracks 11, 12 each is provided with a pair of depending parallel and spaced guide bars 57, fixed at their upper ends to the sides of the carriages 20 and connected near their free ends by steel rolls 58 in contact with the under surfaces of the side pieces or tracks 11, 12.

Movement of the carriages 20, independently with respect to that of the truck 10 is controlled by a coacting nut and screw assembly, as will be described. Preferably one such assembly is provided for each of the two carriages 20 on either side of the truck 10. Each nut and screw assembly as shown best perhaps in Fig. 1 of the drawings, includes a relatively large worm nut 26 braised or otherwise fixed against movement to the upper surface 27 of the channel iron base 21 of the carriage 20. The nut 26 is interiorly threaded to receive and engage the coacting threads of a rod 28 that may be made of chased steel and which is mounted for rotation at one of its ends in a projecting plate 29 at or about the forward extremity of the frame truck 10. The other end 30 of the threaded rod or screw 28 passes through a hole in one of the standards 15, 16 at the rear of the truck 10, the hole being aligned with that of the projection 29. Moreover, the back end of the screw 28 is provided with a miter gear 31 constructed and arranged to mesh with a similar gear 32 fixed to a transverse shaft 33 bridging the distance between the carriages 20, which may be rotated by revolving the hand wheel 34.

The far end 35 of the rotatable shaft 33 likewise is provided with a gear 36 which can be rotated by means of the hand wheel 37 on the other side of the truck 10 to mesh with a gear 38 on the adjacent end 39 of the other nut and screw assembly on that side of the truck 10. Thus, if either of the hand wheels 34, 37 is rotated or if both are revolved, the two coacting carriages 20 on both sides of the truck 10 are moved simultaneously horizontally to the same extent and in the same direction.

Lift means on the coacting carriages 20 may also be provided for controlling vertical movement of the beam independently of movement of the truck 10 and of the carriages 20. Such lift means may include a pair of converging posts 40, 41 xed at their bottom ends in spaced relation to the faces 21 of each of the carriages 20. For convenience the assembly of the posts 40, 41

on one side only of the truck 10 will be described, it being understood that the arrangement may be substantially duplicated on the other side.

The anterior post 40 on either side of the truck 10 is preferably made in the form of a hollow metal cylinder or pipe, as shown by the partially broken away portion thereof in Fig. l of a length greater than the distance the warp beam may be required to traverse in a vertical or oblique direction after the warp truck 10 has been moved into position for unloading the beam onto the loom, or in order to pick up a loaded warp beam from the iioor. A threaded shaft 42 is mounted at its opposed ends for rotation within the forward pipe 40 in bearings 43, 44 xed in the opposite ends of the cylinder 40. A worm nut 45 engages the threads of the screw 42 and is provided with a hook 46 projecting from a slit or keyway 47 in the pipe 40 whereby rotation of the threaded shaft 42 moves the coacting nut 45 up or down within the slot 47 preventing rotation of the hook by means of which the warp beam, loaded or unloaded, is supported. The rear post 41, which also may be hollow as indicated by the broken away portion in Fig. 1, acts as a bracer to its companion 40 and the two posts 40, 41 may be connected at their upper and converging extremities by welding or in other suitable manner.

Rotation of the elevating shaft 42 within its housing or sleeve 40 may be controlled by a gearing similar to that previously described for effecting movement of the carriages 20 widthwise of the truck 10. That is to say, a miter gear 48 is fixed to the upper end of the rotatable rod 42 projecting from the sleeve 40 but Within the closed compartment or gear box 49. An elongated transverse rod 50 bridging the space between the two pairs of posts 40, 41 on either side of the truck 10 is connected at or near one end by means of a mating gear 51 to the gear 48 on the shaft 42. The other end of the rod 50 also carries a gear 52 meshing with a miter gear 53 carried by the rotatable companion shaft 54 within the housing post 40 on the other side of the truck 10. Hand wheels 5S, or if desired, cranks at both ends of the transverse shaft 50 constitute convenient means for simultaneously turning from either side of the truck 10 the two rods 42, S4 in the same direction and to the same extent. As either or both of the hand wheels 55 is turned, the hooks 46 from which the ends of a warp beam are suspended move up or down depending of course on the direction in which the wheel is revolved, thus controlling vertical or oblique movement of the warp beam independently of movement of the carriages 20 widthwise of the truck llfand also independently of movement of the truck itse In operation, an empty warp beam truck 10 constructed according to the present invention may be pushed into the drawing-in department in preparation for removal of a loaded warp beam with reeds, drop wires and harness to the loom, which may be for example a loom of the type known as a 50" XD loom. The hooks 46 which are to carry the warp beam should be in lowered position projecting from the two posts 40. If the hooks 46 are not low enough to permit transfer of the warp from the floor to the truck 10 without bodily lifting the warp they may be lowered to that extent by turning either or both of the hand wheels 55. The width of the truck 10 and more particularly the distance between the two poles 40 is such as to accommodate therein the full width of the warp and anges of the warp beam. The beam shaft of course must be long enough to rest at its ends on both of the hooks 46. After being thus placed in position on the hooks 46 the loaded warp beam is elevated until it is out of contact with the oor by turning the hand wheel 55 in the opposite direction as much as may be necessary. The reeds, harness and drop wires (not shown) may then be suspended from the projecting arms 18, 19 the relative position of which on the cross bar 17 may be slidably adjusted as desired.

After elevating the loaded beam on the hooks 46 and placing the reeds and other auxiliaries on top of the truck 10 it is preferred to move the carriages 20 on either side of the truck 10 to the rear or back end of the truck. This is done by revolving the lower hand wheels 34, 3S or either of them whereby the screws 28 on both sides of the truck 10 are rotated in unison to move the huts 26 which coact to move the carriages 20 simultaneously and to the same extent widthwise of the truck 10. The truck 10 carrying the elevated loaded warp beam on its hooks to the back 72 of the truck frame.

46 is now ready to be moved from the drawing-in department into unloading position at the work receiving or input end of a loom for which purpose the truck is vbrought to rest directly in front of the loom with the edges of the ears 56 on the channel iron plates 29 in contact with stops on the forward ends of the loom at both sides thereof.

With the truck held at rest against the input end of the loom the loaded warp in elevated position at the rear of the truck is moved forward on its supporting carriages by turning the hand Wheel 34 or hand Wheel 37 or both until the beam shaft is suspended almost immediately above the beam locks on the loom. The warp is now lowered on an oblique line of travel until the ends of its shaft are brought to rest on the jaws of the beam lock on both sides of the loom, by manipulation of the hand wheel 55 controlling elevation of hooks 46 on which the Warp beam is resting.

It is pointed out that if desired a portable and detachable crank (not shown) may be substituted and used in place of the hand wheels 34, 37 and 55, in which case the free ends of the shafts 33 and 50 may each be provided with a notch or dog (not shown) to coact with a slot in the crank whereby rotation of the crank wheel correspondingly rotates either one of the shafts 33, 50 in the same direction. Thus a single crank instead of four hand wheels may be utilized to effect rotation of the two shafts 33, 50 controlling vertical and horizontal displacement of the warp beam while it rests on the two hooks 46.

After completing transfer or delivery of the warp from the hooks 46 of the truck 10 to the warp beam locks on both sides of the forward end of the loom the unloaded empty truck 10 is moved back on its swiveling casters 14 out of contact with the loom and is returned to the drawing-in department or elsewhere with or without an empty warp beam, thus completing the cycle of operations involving delivery of a loaded warp beam on a warp truck from the drawing-in department (or other place) to the loom and subsequently returning the truck to its iirst station.

The modification of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4 contemplates a pivoting vertical jack 60 comprising a movable length of tubing 61 welded or otherwise secured near its lower end to a grooved roller 62 having a central pin 63 mounted for rotary movement about its longitudinal axis between a pair of spaced channel iron pieces 64 secured to the top surface of the forward portion of the carriage 65. The upper end of the tube 61 slidably engages the grooves 66 of a pair of spaced rollers 67, 68 separated by links 69 pivoted as at 70 to bars 71 fixed Angle clips 73 may be welded to the vertical channels 72 at the rear of the truck to help brace the flat irons 71 holding the linkage 69.

When the vertical jack crank 74 is rotated the coacting gears 75, 76 are simultaneously actuated to rotate the vertical screw 77 within the tube 61 whereby the nut 78 with its warp beam holding hook 79 is moved up or down lengthwise of the housing 61. The upper portion of the vertical or lifting jack 60 is allowed only a limited amount of forward travel, due to the linked rollers 67, 68 near the end of the tube 61. When the bottom of the jack 60 is pulled towards the rear of the truck the top of the jack slides upward, while bearing against the back roll brace 68. Thus although the angle of the jack changes, part of the warp beam load it holds is still on the back of the truck and even though the angle or position of the jack 60 varies, in relation to the front or back of the truck, the load is evenly distributed over the wheels which support the truck. In this modification, only three supporting wheels instead of four may be utilized; viz, two wheels 80 at both corners of the front of the truck, and a single back wheel 81 midway of the rear of the truck. Another feature of the vertical jack suspension illustrated in Fig. 4 is its ability to clear any back rolls or whip rolls protruding from the entrance end of the loom, when the loaded warp truck is placed in position to deliver the warp beam to the loom. The assembly and operation of the horizontal jack 82 in Fig. 4 may be the same as that previously described for the horizontal jack of Figs. l-3. The single rear wheel 81 located at the center in the back of the truck frame adds to the maneuverability of the truck and makes it easier to guide or push. If desired two spring type lioor locks (not shown) may be mounted on the corners at the back of the truck.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a truck for transporting warp beams, of a track fixed to the truck, a carriage resting on the track, guide means connected to the carriage and in contact with the track for holding the carriage on the track, means for moving the carriage along the track comprising a threaded rod parallel with the track mounted for rotation on the truck, a nut fixed against rotation to the carriage and engaging the threads of the rod, and means at one end of the rod for rotating the rod to move the nut and the carriage simultaneously over the track independently of movement of the truck, means for holding and lifting obliquely the warp beam on the carriage comprising a hollow post fixed at its lower end to the carriage to form an acute angle therewith and having a slot intermediate its ends, a screw held for rotation inside the post, a nut having threads engaging the threaded portion of the screw within the hollow post, a support for the warp beam fixed to the nut and extending through the slot of the post, and means at the free end of the post for rotating the screw to move the nut and the support simultaneously along the slot in the post independently of movement of the carriage and independently of movement of the truck.

2. The combination with a truck for transporting warp beams, of a track fixed to the truck, a carriage held in contact with the track, means for moving the carriage along the track comprising a threaded rod parallel with the track mounted for rotation on the truck, a nut fixed against rotation to the carriage and engaging the threads of the rod, and means at one end of the rod for rotating the rod to move the nut and the carriage simultaneously over the track independently of movement of the truck, means for carrying and obliquely elevating and lowering the warp beam on the carriage comprising a hollow post fixed at its lower end to the forward part of the carriage to form therewith an acute angle and having a slot intermediate its ends, a screw held for rotation inside the post, a nut having threads engaging the threaded portion of the screw within the hollow post, a support for the warp beam fixed to the nut and extending through the slot of the post, and means at the free end of the post for rotating the screw to move the nut and the support simultaneously along the slot in the post independently of movement of the carriage and independently of movement of the truck.

3. The combination with a truck for transporting loaded and unloaded warp beams, of a track fixed to the truck, a carriage resting on the track, guide means connected to the carriage and in contact with the track for holding the carriage on the track, means for moving the carriage along the track comprising a threaded rod parallel With the track mounted for rotation on the truck, a nut fixed against rotation to the carriage and engaging the threads of the rod, and means at one end of the rod for rotating the rod to move the nut and the carriage simultaneously over the track independently of movement of the truck, and means mounted on the carriage independent of the track for elevating the warp beam on the carriage independently of movement of the carriage on the track.

4. The combination with a truck for transporting warp beams, of a track fixed to the truck, a carriage resting on the track, guide means for keeping the carriage on the track, a nut fixed to the carriage and engaging a screw mounted for rotation on the truck, means for rotating the screw to move the carriage on the track independently of movement of the truck and means for supporting and moving the warp beam on the carriage comprising a hollow post pivotally held at its lower end by the carriage and adapted to form therewith acute angles of varying degrees and having a slot intermediate its ends, a screw held for rotation inside the post, a nut having threads engaging the threaded portion of the screw within the hollow post, a support for the warp beam fixed to the nut and extending through the slot of the post, and means at the free end of the post for rotating the screw to move the nut and the support simultaneously along the slot in the post independently of movement of the carriage and independently of movement of the truck.

5. Vehicle for handling loaded warp beams comprising in combination, a roller mounted base, a plurality of spaced parallel carriages supported by the base, a plurality of aligned and slotted posts fixed to the carriages for suspending a loaded beam therebetween out of contact with the base, a rotatable screw engaging a fixed nut on each of the carriages, lever means for rotating the screws simultaneously to move the carriages and the warp beam horizontally in unison, a threaded shaft mounted for rotation and a coacting nut fixed against rotation within each of the posts, a hook fixed to each coacting nut and projecting from the slotted portions of the posts to support the opposed ends of the warp beam and means for rotating the threaded shafts in unison independently of rotation of the screws engaging the nuts on the carriages to raise and lower the warp beam vertically on the posts.

6. Vehicle for handling loaded warp beams comprising in combination, a movable base, a plurality of spaced parallel carriages supported by the movable base, a plurality of aligned and slotted posts fixed to the carriages for suspending a loaded warp beam therebetween out of contact with the movable base, a rotatable screw engaging a fixed nut on each of the carriages, means for simultaneously rotating the screws engaging the fixed nuts to move the carriages and the warp beam horizontally in unison, a threaded shaft mounted for rotation on a coacting nut fixed against rotation within cach of the slotted posts, support means fixed to each coacting nut and projecting from the slotted portions of the posts for holding the opposed ends of the loaded warp beam, and crank means for rotating the threaded shafts in unison independently of rotation of the screws engaging the nuts on the carriages, to vertically raise and lower the warp beam on the posts.

7. Vehicle for handling loaded warp beams comprising in combination, a movable base, a plurality of spaced parallel carriages supported by the movable base, a plurality of aligned and slotted posts fixed to the carriages for suspending a loaded warp beam therebetween out of contact with the movable base, a rotatable screw engaging a fixed nut on each of the carriages, means for simultaneously rotating the screws engaging the fixed nuts to move the carriages and the warp beam horizontally in unison, a threaded shaft mounted for rotation on a coacting nut fixed against rotation within each of the slotted posts, support means fixed to each coacting nut and projecting from the slotted portions of the posts for holding the opposed ends of the loaded warp beam, and means for rotating the threaded shafts in unison independently of rotation of the screws engaging the nuts on the carriages, to raise and lower the warp beam on the posts.

8. Vehicle for handling loaded warp beams comprising in combination, a movable base, a plurality of spaced parallel carriages supported by the movable base, a plurality of aligned and slotted posts fixed to the carriages for suspending a loaded warp beam therebetween out of contact with the movable base, a rotatable screw engaging a fixed nut on each of the carriages, means for simultaneously rotating the screws engaging the fixed nuts to move the carriages and the warp beam horizontally in unison, a threaded shaft mounted for rotation on a coacting nut fixed against rotation within each of the slotted posts, support means fixed to each coacting nut and projecting from the slotted portions of the posts for holding the opposed ends of the loaded warp beam, and crank means for rotating the threaded shafts in unison independently of rotation of the screws engaging the nuts on the carriages, for vertical reciprocation of the loaded warp beam held on the posts.

9. The combination with a truck for transporting loaded and unloaded warp beams, of a track fixed to the truck, a carriage resting on the track, guide means connected to the carriage and in contact with the track for holding the carriage on the track, means for moving the carriage along the track comprising a threaded rod parallel with the track mounted for rotation on the truck, a nut fixed against rotation to the carriage and engaging the threads of the rod, and means at one end of the rod for rotating the rod to move the nut and the carriage simultaneously over the track independently of movement of the truck, and elevating means mounted on the carriage for oblique movement of the warp beam independent of movement of the truck, said elevating means comprising a floating post carrying a lift jack for the beam, one end of said floating post being pivotally secured to the carriage, while its other end is connected to the base for limited reciprocation.

10. The combination with a truck for transporting loaded and unloaded warp beams, of a track fixed to the truck, a carriage resting on the track, guide means connected to the carriage and in contact with the track for holding the carriage on the track, means for moving the carriage along the track comprising a threaded rod parallel with the track mounted for rotation on the truck, a nut fixed against rotation to the carriage and engaging the threads of the rod, and means at one end of the rod for rotating the rod to move the nut and the carriage simultaneously over the track independently of movement of the truck, and elevating means mounted on the carriage for permitting and controlling oblique movement of the warp beam independently of movement of the truck, said elevating means comprising a hollow post pivoted at its lower end to the carriage for limited pivotal movement of the post relative to the carriage, said hollow post having its upper end journaled for limited reciprocation of the post within a linkage mounted for pivotal movement on the base in back of the carriage.

l1. The combination with a truck for transporting loaded and unloaded warp beams, of a track fixed to the truck, a carriage resting on the track, guide means connected to the carriage and in contact with the track for holding the carriage on the track, means for moving the carriage along the track comprising a threaded rod parallel with the track mounted for rotation on the truck, a nut fixed against rotation to the carriage and engaging the threads of the rod, and means at one end of the rod for rotating the rod to move the nut and the carriage simultaneously over the track independently of movement of the truck, and elevating means mounted on the carriage for governing oblique ascent and descent of the warp beam independently of movement of the truck, said elevating means comprising a screw jack for the warp beam carried by a post, said post having its lower end fixed to the front of the carriage for limited pivotal movement of the post relative to the carriage, and having a fioating upper portion connected to the back of the truck by a pivoted linkage for limited reciprocation of the post relative to the truck.

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